Coast Guard ready for action in Humboldt; training is an essential part of daily operations

Waves lapped against the boat, and the smell of diesel filled the air as a crew of three U.S. Coast Guardsmen navigated the waters of Humboldt Bay last week to survey the area.

Pelicans glided overhead as the men yelled out to each other, relaying information about the weather conditions and size of the swells near the bay's entrance to the ocean -- an activity they do twice a day.

Boatswain's Mate Second Class Dylan Pierce said the bar channel can be a treacherous place for vessels, especially when the surf has swells more than eight feet high.

"When boats get in trouble, most of the time it's here," Pierce said.

As Pierce drove one of the Coast Guard's two 47-foot motor lifeboats through the bay, he said the Coast Guard base at the edge of Samoa is similar to a firefighters' station. He said some days the station can be swamped with requests for help, while other days are spent maintaining equipment and keeping active.

"Whenever we don't have cases, we're training," Pierce said. "We train with the helicopter about twice a week."

The local station, responsible for protecting more than 5,000 square miles of ocean, has at its disposal helicopters, patrol boats, motor lifeboats and an Aids to Navigation Team tasked with keeping navigation beacons operational. The Coast Guard Group/Air Station Humboldt Bay also includes two cutter patrol boats -- one stationed in Del Norte County -- and a Coast Guard station near Noyo River in Fort Bragg, according to the station's website.

Most of the Samoa station's work is focused on search and rescue missions and maintaining navigation aids such as buoys, lights and lighthouses.

Maritime Enforcement Specialist Third Class Scott Williams said station members were extremely busy two weekends ago when they had six rescue situations in one day.

"We helped a woman who fell off a pier, and helped stranded boats," Williams said.

In order to hone their rescue skills, the men and women who serve as part of the Samoa station practice man overboard drills and other rescue techniques, using a helicopter to lift people off boats.

Williams and Coast Guard Fireman Nick Cataldo demonstrated the man overboard drills by shoving "Oscar" -- a life-size dummy -- off the back of the motor lifeboat traveling across Humboldt Bay. Once Oscar was floating in the water, the men began yelling to Pierce. Pierce steered the boat in a circle, eventually maneuvering it alongside Oscar as the other crewmen yelled distance estimates.

Oscar was pulled from the water and laid out on the boat's deck. After checking Oscar's vital signs, it was determined he was likely hypothermic and in need of emergency medical attention. Pierce said many people pulled from the ocean become hypothermic -- a condition where body temperature drops to a dangerously low level.

"We have a hypothermic recovery suit that we can put people in below deck," Pierce said.

As the crew transported a dripping-wet Oscar back to shore, they talked about why they chose to serve as part of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Cataldo said his father was in the Coast Guard and that he enjoyed growing up as part of a family that got to move around and experience new places whenever his father relocated. He said the schooling and benefits are helping him attain his goal of someday becoming a law enforcement official.

"It puts your foot in the door," Cataldo said.

A Crescent City native, Pierce said he joined because the ocean was a huge part of his life growing up. He said it's not only a good job but a fun and rewarding one.

Pierce initially was stationed in Miami, but he returned to the North Coast area when he could.

"This community is extremely appreciative of the Coast Guard," Pierce said. "People will recognize you on the street and say 'Hi.'"